Former President Donald Trump hosted a screening of “Sound of Freedom” at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey Wednesday night.
Following the screening, Trump thanked those in attendance and lauded the work of producer Eduardo Verastegui, lead actor Jim Caviezel, and Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security agent whose life the story is based on.
“Jim, that was unbelievable. Oh, what a job!” Trump said, referring to Caviezel’s performance as the lead actor. He then turned to Verastegui and praised him for making “the hottest movie anywhere in the world.”
“And Tim, what a job you did. Someone’s got to do it,” the former president continued. Ballard turned to his wife, Katherine, with Trump saying that the two were “a great combination, a beautiful combination.”
The Washington Examiner reported that Matthew Faraci, senior strategist with The Spear Fund, said that Trump was given an autographed poster-sized sign of the film after the screening. Faraci continued by saying that the screening was a “surreal moment,” adding it was a “gathering of good people who care deeply about protecting our children.”
“President Trump was a gracious host. As we spoke to him, he listened very carefully about the issues surrounding child trafficking and asked numerous questions,” Faraci said. “There was an incredible atmosphere of warmth in the place.”
Trump brought an end to the evening by acknowledging the film’s challenging subject matter, along with its immense success.
“It’s something that I’m not sure you’re supposed to enjoy or learn. It’s a combination. That was a great movie. And now I understand why it is doing so well,” Trump said. “It’s an incredible inspiration.”
Trump reportedly sat for a podcast interview with Ballard and Caviezel after the screening, which will be released later on Thursday.
“Sound of Freedom” has done very well at the box office, raking in more than $100 million in sales, despite its limited promotion and marketing resources. It continues to overrun Sony Picture’s “Insidious: The Red Door” and Disney’s “Indiana Jones.”
